Over the past several weeks Broadway fans have seen several productions come to a close; but fear not, the new fall season is about to begin with a whole new batch of plays and musicals.
Musicals “Here Lies Love” and “Back to the Future” have already opened and are packing the houses with fans as they joined “The Cottage” and “The Shark is Broken” in an early start to the season.
Also set to open this fall on Broadway:
Previews start September 7 at the Music Box Theatre for “Purlie Victorious” starring Lesli Odom Jr as a preacher trying to save his congregation in Jim Crow era Georgia.
Ghanian American playwright Jocelyn Bioh makes her Broadway debut with the comedy “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding”. Previews begin September 12 at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. A group of West African female immigrants “share their dreams and secrets as they create masterpieces on their clients’ heads.”
After debuting last year on Off-Broadway, award winning performer Melissa Etheridge brings her one woman show – “Melissa Etheridge: My Window” – to the Circle in the Square Theatre beginning September 14 for a limited run. The show features songs and stories by the artist.
“The Book of Mormon” cast mates Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells return for the musical comedy “Gutenberg! The Musical” at the James Earl Jones Theatre beginning September 15. Gad and Rannels play all the parts themselves as they play a couple of playwrights desperately trying to sell their musical about inventor Johannes Gutenberg – the man who created the modern printing press.
The Stephen Sondheim production “Merrily We Roll Along” returns beginning September 19 at the Hudson Theatre. Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff, and Lindsay Mendez return from the Off Broadway production last year to reprise their roles.
“I Need That” opens October 13 at the American Airlines Theatre with real life father and daughter Danny and Lucy DeVito reprising their roles on stage in the play that written for a father and daughter actors. The comedy has a limited run til December 23.
In perhaps one of the most anticipated productions of the season, the Barry Manilow/Bruce Sussman musical “Harmony” begins previews at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on Oct 18. Thirty years after its creation, the musical can finally have its Broadway debut.
Taken from the pages of history, “Harmony” is about a group of German performers who try to continue their trade as Germany moves toward a Nazi regime.
Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award winning Manilow has released songs from the musical previously and the Broadway cast album will be released next month.
The Tony Award winning Monty Python spoof “Spamalot” makes its return to Broadway at the St. James Theatre beginning Halloween night for a fun filled satirical romp through Camelot.
In a musical filled with Broadway firsts – creators and actors – “How to Dance in Ohio” makes its debut at the Belasco Theatre on November 15. Featuring actors who are autistic, the musical is a out a group of autistic students as they work to put on their spring dance.
Making his Broadway debut, playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins brings “Appropriate” to the Hayes Theater beginning November 29. The play tells the story of a dysfunctional family as they sift through the possessions of a deceased father.
“Prayer for the French Republic” opens at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on December 19. A visit from a New York cousin visits the relations in Paris. A lively discussion ensues on numerous topics from antisemitism to to the current politics in Israel and what it means to be a Jew in today’s society. The discussions also bring scenes from the past.